Matthew 13:1-58
This chapter is all about planting and harvesting. There are a variety of fields and seeds, some are productive and some are dangerous. Each of these parables are rich in content and, quite honestly, deserve a post each. However, we will be looking at the chapter as a whole. Jesus begins to teach in parables for two basic reasons: First, to reveal truth to His disciples in such a way that will promote reflection and therefore be more memorable. Second, to hide truth from those who had no interest in following Him. Only Christ can hide and reveal at the same time. There are seven parables in this passage, however, three of them are basically repeated twice so we are left with four central teachings about soil and seeds in the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom has DIFFERENT SOIL: I need to look at this parable from two different perspectives: that of the sower and that of the soil. As a sower of seed (teacher of truth), I need to remember that there will be a wide variety of responses that vary from ignoring to rejection to reception. I must be ready for all of them and prepare in light of them. We must not become discouraged by the different results, and yet we must not just become complacent about them but should try to overcome the different adversaries that plague those who hear us. As a soil for seed (hearer of truth), I need to be aware that all of these responses are possible in my own heart. As I study God's Word or hear it proclaimed, I can become distracted, be inattentive, try to ignore it because I have no intention of obeying it, forget or give up on commitments that I make or I can respond to the truth in a positive way at a variety of productivity levels. As teachers we must prepare for many responses and as students we must strive for maximum productivity.
The Kingdom has DANGEROUS SEED: God's seed is always good, however, our enemy has always tried his utmost to produce forgeries that often confuse or deceive the casual observer. From a distance the wheat and the tares look exactly alike but when you go to harvest them, there is a vast difference. Wheat produces kernels that sustain and nourish while tares have nothing but chaff. Likewise, a fishnet will bring in both good and bad fish at the same time. As long was we are on this earth we will share it with tares and bad fish. We must be aware of this and make every effort to examine our own hearts in light of this truth. The time of harvest is coming and God will have no difficulty in separating those who have truly trusted Christ from those who are pretending or have been deceived by the evil one. The glorious truth of God's grace is that He, through the cross of Christ, is able to transform tares to wheat and make good fish out of bad.
The Kingdom has PRODUCTIVE SEED: The mustard seed and the leaven are both very productive, in that they start out very small, yet they grow and permeate to have an effect far beyond their original size. It may look like the Gospel is up against insurmountable odds. There are times where there is so much darkness and seemingly only one little "firefly of light." But, by God's grace and the Spirit's power, amazing transformations can take place. I think this teaching is meant to be an encouragement to keep on planting because when God's truth takes root the fruit can be astounding. Once again, we must evaluate our own hearts to see how productive His seed has been in impacting and transforming our lives.
The Kingdom Is PRECIOUS SOIL: The truth of the Gospel is more precious than anything this world has to offer. The decision to embrace the Gospel should be an easy one, but it does require that we turn from the worship of self and Satan to value God, and God alone, above all and any that stand in competition of Him. Christ is the pearl of great price and the inestimable treasure. We must not be distracted or deceived, but fix our eyes and hopes on Him who has given His life that we might have eternal life with Him.
The Kingdom has DIFFERENT SOIL: I need to look at this parable from two different perspectives: that of the sower and that of the soil. As a sower of seed (teacher of truth), I need to remember that there will be a wide variety of responses that vary from ignoring to rejection to reception. I must be ready for all of them and prepare in light of them. We must not become discouraged by the different results, and yet we must not just become complacent about them but should try to overcome the different adversaries that plague those who hear us. As a soil for seed (hearer of truth), I need to be aware that all of these responses are possible in my own heart. As I study God's Word or hear it proclaimed, I can become distracted, be inattentive, try to ignore it because I have no intention of obeying it, forget or give up on commitments that I make or I can respond to the truth in a positive way at a variety of productivity levels. As teachers we must prepare for many responses and as students we must strive for maximum productivity.
The Kingdom has DANGEROUS SEED: God's seed is always good, however, our enemy has always tried his utmost to produce forgeries that often confuse or deceive the casual observer. From a distance the wheat and the tares look exactly alike but when you go to harvest them, there is a vast difference. Wheat produces kernels that sustain and nourish while tares have nothing but chaff. Likewise, a fishnet will bring in both good and bad fish at the same time. As long was we are on this earth we will share it with tares and bad fish. We must be aware of this and make every effort to examine our own hearts in light of this truth. The time of harvest is coming and God will have no difficulty in separating those who have truly trusted Christ from those who are pretending or have been deceived by the evil one. The glorious truth of God's grace is that He, through the cross of Christ, is able to transform tares to wheat and make good fish out of bad.
The Kingdom has PRODUCTIVE SEED: The mustard seed and the leaven are both very productive, in that they start out very small, yet they grow and permeate to have an effect far beyond their original size. It may look like the Gospel is up against insurmountable odds. There are times where there is so much darkness and seemingly only one little "firefly of light." But, by God's grace and the Spirit's power, amazing transformations can take place. I think this teaching is meant to be an encouragement to keep on planting because when God's truth takes root the fruit can be astounding. Once again, we must evaluate our own hearts to see how productive His seed has been in impacting and transforming our lives.
The Kingdom Is PRECIOUS SOIL: The truth of the Gospel is more precious than anything this world has to offer. The decision to embrace the Gospel should be an easy one, but it does require that we turn from the worship of self and Satan to value God, and God alone, above all and any that stand in competition of Him. Christ is the pearl of great price and the inestimable treasure. We must not be distracted or deceived, but fix our eyes and hopes on Him who has given His life that we might have eternal life with Him.
Comments
Post a Comment